Run a Free Virginia Warrant Search (Find Wanted Persons)

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Free Virginia Warrant Search

Find out if you or someone else has a warrant out for their arrest in Virginia, free of charge.

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Conduct a free Virginia warrant search today; access state and local resources to secure the information you need.

Many government agencies publish warrant information online or provide it over the phone to help determine who is wanted in Virginia. Understanding how to request this information from these agencies can make a warrant search more seamless and efficient.

Learn more about how to tap into this publicly available information to identify Virginia arrest warrants for anyone in the state.

Are Warrant Records Available to the Public?

Several types of warrants can be issued by Virginia courts depending on the specific legal matter. Often, citizens can conduct a warrant search in Virginia with the help of state and local agencies, including court systems and police departments.

The method for obtaining warrant records varies depending on the agency. Some agencies publish active warrant lists online, others provide such information over the phone, and certain agencies only deliver this information in person. While most active warrants in Virginia are available to the public, those related to active investigations or cases involving juveniles might remain sealed.

Virginia State Code Title 19.2, Chapter 7 highlights details about arrests, and Title 19.2, Chapter 5 details search warrant laws in the state.^{1, 2}

Essential Information To Perform a Virginia Warrant Search

To successfully conduct a Virginia warrant lookup, citizens must have, at a minimum, basic identifying information about the individual. They should know the person’s first and last name and the city or county where they live or were arrested. Additional personal information, such as the date of birth or the court case number, can further narrow search results.

Citizens can search various government agency records for free to learn about an individual’s warrant status. Record seekers with limited information on the individual will want to start their search from statewide entities—in this case, the Virginia State Courts and State Police—to maximize their findings. Often, searching at the state level will yield the quickest results.

However, searchers can also explore county- and city-level data to learn about arrest warrants. County sheriff’s offices and police departments often maintain a list of all arrest warrants under their scope. Likewise, municipalities maintain these records, and citizens can often find searchable arrest warrant lists through city police departments in Virginia.

Ultimately, citizens should choose the agency most likely to have the information about an arrest warrant on hand. When the individual’s location is known, then focusing the search on that locality’s government agency can lead to the necessary information.

If a state and local warrant search doesn’t yield results, individuals can turn to federal databases. While these agencies only publish information on individuals with a federal warrant, these lists may include some Virginia residents.

Various types of warrants exist in Virginia. However, no matter the type issued, the state and local agencies highlighted in this article can offer helpful information about all of these warrants, which can help guide a productive search.

How To Check Online if You or Someone Else Has a Warrant in Virginia

The Virginia Judicial System provides a wealth of information about criminal cases in the state. Citizens can access the Online Case Information Statewide Search to learn more about active and closed cases at many state courts, including criminal cases in general district courts.³ This free online tool is a good place to start a warrant search.

Simply input the individual’s name, case number, or hearing date to get started. Citizens can select a specific court or search the complete database of courts for the broadest results.

All court cases that match the search terms will appear. After identifying the case in question, citizens can view the court case details to determine whether there is an active warrant.

Often, outstanding warrant information will be listed under the “charge” section. The term “capias” may appear under the list of charges, which indicates a warrant has been issued for the individual’s arrest. This term may also be listed in the “hearing information” section of the court case, indicating that a warrant was issued at some point during this legal matter.

The Virginia State Police doesn’t share an active list of warrants, but individuals can search their own criminal record to find out if they have an active one. Complete a Criminal History Background Search Form online, print the completed form, and have it notarized.⁵

Mail the notarized form and the $15 fee to the mailing address below. Individuals can pay by certified check, money order, or credit card.

Citizens can also drop off their completed forms at the Virginia State Police office in North Chesterfield at the address below, but the request will not be processed on the same day. Both mailed-in and hand-delivered forms take about 15 business days to process.

Note that this form requires a fingerprint card to receive a full criminal record, including pending charges and warrants. So, individuals will need to take the Request for Fingerprints Form to one of Virginia’s Fieldprint offices to complete their request. Citizens can schedule their fingerprint appointment online at their local office.

Before submitting a request, review the instructions for completing the criminal background check.⁶

Virginia State Police
7700 Midlothian Turnpike
North Chesterfield, VA 23235

Phone: (804)674-2000

Mailing Address:

Civil and Applicants Records Exchange
P.O. Box 85076
Richmond, VA 23285

Finally, citizens can check out the Virginia Department of Corrections’ Most Wanted List, which features fugitives who have warrants out for their arrest.

Access Warrant Details Through County Agencies & Courts in Virginia

Citizens can also conduct a warrant search at the county level through various law enforcement agencies. Many counties provide this information conveniently by phone, with county police departments and sheriff’s offices having a warrant desk available to answer questions. Here is guidance on how to research Virginia warrants in the state’s largest counties.

Fairfax County: The most efficient way to look up an arrest warrant in Fairfax County, the state’s most populous, is by contacting the county police department by phone. The department’s Warrant Desk can provide detailed information on an individual’s pending arrest in the county.⁷

The Warrant Desk is open during business hours, Monday through Friday, from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Visitors can also stop by to obtain warrant information in person during these hours.

While the city does not post active arrest warrants online, citizens can also reach out to the police department using an online contact form.

Fairfax County Police Department
Warrant Desk
12099 Government Center Parkway
Fairfax, VA 22035

Phone: (703)246-4231
Email: [email protected]

Prince William County: In Prince William County, which includes several cities such as Manassas, Bristow, and Gainesville, the local law enforcement divisions are responsible for issuing arrest warrants. These departments include the Prince William County Police Department and Prince William County Sheriff’s Office.

So, citizens should begin their search for a Prince William County arrest warrant with these organizations. Since both departments can issue arrest warrants, citizens might need to make a couple of phone calls before finding the information they’re seeking.

Like Fairfax County, the easiest way to contact these departments about warrant information is by phone. The Prince William County Police Department has three stations open 24 hours a day. Citizens should call the number listed below at any time to learn more about open warrants.

Prince William County Police Department
Central District Station
5036 Davis Ford Road
Woodbridge, VA 22192

Western District Station
8900 Freedom Center Boulevard
Manassas, VA 20110

Eastern District Station
15948 Donald Curtis Drive
Woodbridge, VA 22191

Phone: (703)792-6517

Additionally, the Prince William County Sheriff’s Office can confirm warrant information over the phone. The office is open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Citizens can also learn about recent arrests made by the Prince William County Police Department. The department updates its adult arrest report regularly to reflect the most recent arrests during the last four weeks.⁸ This information can confirm whether an individual with an outstanding warrant was arrested.

Prince William County Sheriff’s Office
Warrant Desk
9311 Lee Avenue
Manassas, VA 20110

Phone: (703)792-6259

Virginia Beach County: Record seekers might need to appear in person at the Virginia Beach Sheriff’s Office to search for a warrant in the county. While the city’s police department has an online search detailed later in this article, the Sheriff’s Office states that it does not provide warrant information over the phone. The office is open 24 hours a day.

Virginia Beach Sheriff’s Office
2501 James Madison Boulevard
Virginia Beach, VA 23456

Phone: (757)385-4555

Individuals curious about a warrant issued in a civil case may have success using the Virginia Beach Sheriff’s Office Civil Process Search. They will need the individual’s name and the case number to pull up all court papers, which may include warrants. Additionally, citizens can use the Virginia Beach Sheriff’s Office’s Inmate Lookup to see if the individual they’re researching has been arrested.

Check With Municipal Courts & Law Enforcement Agencies in Virginia for Warrant Information

Citizens can also search Virginia warrants through municipalities and city police departments. Discover how to find warrant information in Virginia’s biggest cities.

Virginia Beach: Individuals seeking information on Virginia Beach arrests can begin their search using the city’s online portal. The Virginia Beach Police Department uses ePro (Electronic Police Reports Online) as a database of active warrants. Citizens can search by name, warrant type, or charge code or description.

Results will list the individual’s name, warrant type, charge and description, and the date it was issued. Citizens can click on the warrant number for more information on the individual, including their birth date, which can help confirm their identity.

While this online search should answer any questions about outstanding warrants, citizens can contact the Virginia Beach Police Department for additional information.

Virginia Beach Police Department
2509 Princess Anne Road
Virginia Beach, VA 23456

Phone: (757)385-4141
Email: [email protected]

Chesapeake: The Chesapeake Police Department’s Warrant Unit can assist citizens in their search for information. This unit can confirm outstanding warrants in the city of Chesapeake but cannot provide information on the criminal charges over the phone. Citizens should call the unit to confirm whether there is an active warrant in their name, and they’ll be provided with more information about how to proceed.

Chesapeake Police Department
304 Albemarle Drive
Chesapeake, VA 23222

Phone: (757)382-6388
Email: [email protected]

Norfolk: The Norfolk Police Department maintains an online database of active warrants in the city. Citizens can explore this active warrant list to determine if the individual they’re searching for is wanted by the police.¹⁰ They can scroll through the complete list or search by name to narrow their results.

For additional information about warrants in Norfolk, citizens can contact the police department using the information below.

Norfolk Police Department
100 Brooke Avenue
Norfolk, VA 23510

Phone: (757)664-3277
Email: [email protected]

Richmond: Individuals seeking information on Richmond arrest warrants should contact the city police department. While the city doesn’t offer an online warrant search or arrest database like other Virginia municipalities, the Richmond Police Department can answer questions about outstanding warrants. Call or visit the office during business hours (Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.).

Richmond Police Department
200 West Grace Street
Richmond, VA 23220

Phone: (804)646-5100
Email: [email protected]

Newport News: The Newport News Police Department publishes active outstanding warrants on its website. This list is updated daily, and citizens can scroll through it to find out if the person they’re researching has an active warrant. They can also search by name to narrow their results.

Individuals can also contact the police department by phone for more information about warrants in the city. The office is open 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Newport News Police Department
9710 Jefferson Avenue
Newport News, VA 23605

Phone: (757)247-2500

Alexandria: The Alexandria Police Department only provides information about active warrants in person. Individuals can appear at police headquarters to request warrant information. They should bring a photo ID when making their request.

Alexandria Police Department
3600 Wheeler Avenue
Alexandria, VA 22304

Phone: (703)746-4444

Go Beyond Virginia & Look Up Federal Warrants

In most cases, the individual being searched will have a warrant issued within the state. However, in some cases, people might have federal warrants for their arrest as well. Exploring national most wanted lists can reveal Virginia residents who have federal warrants.

Check out these options during your Virginia statewide — or even nationwide — warrant search:

• FBI Ten Most Wanted Fugitives – The Federal Bureau of Investigation’s (FBI’s) Criminal Investigative Division maintains this list of the most wanted fugitives who are accused of various violent and serious crimes.
• DEA Most Wanted Fugitives – The U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) publishes a list of the individuals wanted for violating controlled substance laws.
• U.S. Marshals 15 Most Wanted Fugitives¹² – Maintained by the U.S. Marshals Service, this fugitive list includes the nation’s most dangerous fugitives accused of a range of violent crimes and drug offenses.

Citizens can also search the PACER (Public Access to Court Electronic Records) Case Locator to find federal arrest and search warrants. After searching by name, click case number, and then select docket sheet/docket report or history/documents to view any outstanding warrants for the individual. Individuals may have to pay fees to obtain or download any documents from this online service.

Another way to secure information about a federal warrant is through the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA).¹³ Citizens can file an FOIA request through the U.S. Marshals Service, which executes most federal warrants. Submit a request online through the U.S. Marshals FOIA Portal.

Warrant Types in Virginia & What They Mean

Understanding different types of Virginia warrants can aid your search. Note that any of the following warrants can be referred to as active, which means it’s outstanding and hasn’t been executed, carried out, or resolved. Here are the most common types of warrants record seekers will see in Virginia.

• Arrest Warrants: Arrest warrants are issued when there is probable cause to tie the individual to a crime or misdemeanor.
• Bench Warrants: Judges issue bench warrants when an individual fails to appear in court as requested. These warrants may be issued for minor matters, such as traffic citations and child support cases.

• Probation & Parole Violation Warrants: Chapter 4 of the Virginia Code explains probation and parole laws in the state.¹⁴ These warrants are issued when an individual violates the terms of their probation or parole.
• Capias Warrants: A capias warrant is issued when someone has been deemed guilty and fails to pay fines or complete the terms of their sentence.
• Fugitive Warrants: When someone with an active warrant flees from another state to Virginia, this may be issued.
• Search Warrants: According to Chapter 5 of the Virginia Code, this type of warrant permits the search of people, places, and things if there is probable cause that law enforcement can find evidence related to an open criminal investigation.²

Actions To Consider if You or Someone Else Faces an Arrest Warrant in Virginia

This search process might reveal that the individual has an arrest warrant. It’s wise to inform someone close to that individual, such as a family member or friend, about the warrant.

However, if there’s a safety concern, contact the local law enforcement agency’s crime line or tip line, which can usually be found on the department’s website. Citizens can also contact the Virginia State Police at (804)674-2000.¹⁵

Individuals who discover that there is a warrant out for their arrest should act quickly to deal with the matter. For misdemeanor issues, individuals may be able to pay fines or appear in court to resolve the issue.

People with pending criminal charges should seek out legal representation for proper guidance. They should then communicate with their family, lawyer, and a bail bondsman, if needed, before turning themselves in. Going through this process with an attorney can ensure that their rights are upheld every step of the way.

Be sure to utilize this streamlined resource when conducting a Virginia warrant search to obtain accurate and up-to-date information.